A good physics textbook with clear and concise explanations?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for physics textbooks that offer clear and concise explanations, particularly for a first-year physics student in a medical physics program. Participants share their experiences with various textbooks and suggest alternatives that may be more helpful.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with the current textbook, "Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach" by Randall D. Knight, citing it as too wordy and seeking clearer alternatives.
  • Several participants suggest standard introductory textbooks such as Halliday Resnick, Young Freedman, and Serway as potential replacements, noting that owning multiple similar texts may not be necessary.
  • For supplemental materials, the Feynman Lectures are recommended, with the note that they are available online.
  • More advanced options mentioned include Purcell's "Electricity and Magnetism" and Kleppner and Kolenkow's "Introduction to Mechanics."
  • One participant suggests considering older editions of textbooks for cost-effectiveness, especially if the course does not rely on problems from those editions.
  • OpenStax texts are mentioned as a free option, although one participant notes that their students typically prefer Knight's book.
  • Alonso and Finn's "Fundamental University Physics" is also recommended, with a comment that many introductory physics books are similar in style and content.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for clearer and more concise textbooks but do not reach a consensus on which specific book is the best alternative. Multiple competing views on suitable textbooks remain present.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations depend on whether the user is looking for a replacement, supplemental, or more advanced material. Additionally, there are considerations regarding the calculus and non-calculus versions of textbooks.

jojoj
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I'm currently in my first year in a physics with med physics degree and I find the textbook we are using not helpful (physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition) by Randall D. Knight). I find the textbook too wordy. So I am looking for a more clear and concise physics textbook any recommendations?
 
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Are you looking for replacement, supplemental or more advanced?

Replacement
Some of the standards
Halliday Resnick
Young Freedman
Serway
There is generally no reason to own different freshman physics books unless you truly hate the one you got
Be aware that there are calculus and noncalculus text versions

Supplement
Feynman Lectures (they are also online)

More advanced
Purcell Electricity and Magnetism
Kleppner and Kolenkow Introduction to Mechanics
 
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caz said:
Are you looking for replacement, supplemental or more advanced?

Replacement
Some of the standards
Halliday Resnick
Young Freedman
Serway
There is generally no reason to own different freshman physics books unless you truly hate the one you got
Be aware that there are calculus and noncalculus text versions

Supplement
Feynman Lectures (they are also online)

More advanced
Purcell Electricity and Magnetism
Kleppner and Kolenkow Introduction to Mechanics

Thank you for the recommendations.
 
Since your prof won’t be drawing problems from them, there is no reason not to go with an older (cheaper) edition.
 
jojoj said:
I'm currently in my first year in a physics with med physics degree and I find the textbook we are using not helpful (physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition) by Randall D. Knight). I find the textbook too wordy. So I am looking for a more clear and concise physics textbook any recommendations?
You might try the free OpenStax texts. My students typically don't care for OpenStax, but they liked Knight. So perhaps you'll find OpenStax to your liking.

Any of the standard intro physics books would probably be fine.
 
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jojoj said:
I'm currently in my first year in a physics with med physics degree and I find the textbook we are using not helpful (physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition) by Randall D. Knight). I find the textbook too wordy. So I am looking for a more clear and concise physics textbook any recommendations?
Alonso and Finn: Fundamental University Physics. The ones that Caz posted are similar in style to the Randall book.

Most introductory physics books made today are so similar, its pointless to own multiples, of what I would call the same book.
 

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